Member-only story
Five Cyclical Stages of Sexual Assault
TW: Sexual Assault. Based upon my own personal wheelings and dealings with the topic. (Thesis, research, emotions.) This doesn’t represent everyone's story but it is mine, and when I share it, I feel like living so I’m sharing. I hope it can resonate.
- Denial (1–2 Months)
Nothing happened. No one did anything to you. What person? What assault? What room? Nothing happened. I am the same person I was yesterday and the day before that. I am actually a better person. There was just a blip and now we’re moving on. Who wants cake? I can bake a lot of things. I can cook a lot of things. I can continue with my career and bake. Maybe I can take up 20 other things too. Maybe I could be a teacher! Maybe a Therapist! I can help people who have problems! Maybe a football player! Maybe a football playing artist teacher therapist! I can talk to everyone at once. I can be on the phone. I can take phone calls. I can answer all the texts. I can show up to all the meetings. I am funny! I have jokes! I can sing! I can perform! I am here! I am a reliable human being! Nothing ever happened to me to make me crack and break apart! Nothing out of the ordinary! My drinking is functional. Just a drink after every…
